Trainings & Highlights

Resources

Welcome to the Western Mass Recovering Learning Community

The Western Mass Recovery Learning Community (RLC) supports healing and empowerment for our broader communities and people who have been impacted by psychiatric diagnosis, trauma, extreme states, homelessness, addiction and other life-interrupting challenges through:

Peer-to-peer support & genuine human relationships

Alternative Healing Practices

Learning Opportunities

Advocacy

Essential to our work is recognizing and undoing systemic injustices such as racism, sexism, transphobia and psychiatric oppression.

The RLC is made up of PEOPLE (not places) and is wherever and however YOU and others from the community may choose to connect. Together, we offer a variety of events, workshops, trainings, advocacy and leadership councils, as well as a peer support line, three resource centers (Springfield, Greenfield, and Holyoke) and a Peer Respite in Northampton. Above all else, we create space for anyone who has a genuine interest in taking part in our community and holding its values to share and find connection, information, ideas and opportunities to make change in their own lives and/or the community around them. Our shared experiences and ‘humanness’ are what unite us. Our stories, collective wisdom and strength are what guide us and our community forward.

The Recovery Learning Community (RLC) is a peer-run project providing supports to individuals with lived experience. One of the founding concepts behind the RLC is that human relationships with people are healing, particularly when those people have similar experiences. And so, above all else, the RLC strives to create forums through which human relationships, community and a regional network of supports can develop. On a day-to-day basis, that effort may take the form of a community meeting, a support group, a computer workshop and/or simply offering a safe space where people can communicate with others or simply be. The RLC also acts a clearing house for information about other resources in the community.

The Western Massachusetts Recovery Learning Community is funded, in part, by the Massachusetts Department of Mental Health, the United Way of Franklin County, and a variety of private foundations and donations.

In early June, an updated version of ‘Helping Families in Mental Health Crisis’ Act (HR 2646) was re-introduced by Representative Tim Murphy of Pennsylvania to the United States Congress. Not surprisingly, the response to this controversial legislation has been mixed. The National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) has fairly consistently come out in favor of bills that prioritize families and attempt to implement measures that increase access to force over their struggling relatives. In fact, the New York chapter of NAMI gave Murphy an award for his legislative advocacy just last year (following the release of the first version of the Murphy Bill). Fortunately, those in opposition took that opportunity to get vocal and protest the award ceremony, gaining some publicity for the efforts to prevent the Bill from passing.

NAMI now continues to show support as demonstrated by a letter from their Executive Director, Mary Gilberti, to Murphy himself (available by clicking here) congratulating him for taking steps to “improve mental health treatment, services and supports across the United States.”

NAMI’s letter was disappointing, but not a shock. Much more surprising was the testimony of Paul Gionfriddo (new President and CEO of Mental Health America (MHA) at the recent Murphy Bill hearing. MHA had previously been known for its consistent (and even outspoken) opposition to the Murphy Bill and other force-related legislation. Gionfriddo, however, is best known for using MHA as a platform from which to promote the idea of ‘four stages of mental illness’ and authoring a book (“Losing Tim”) where he details his own son’s experience with psychiatric diagnosis and homelessness. It would appear that, in his testimony, he spoke not only for himself, but also for MHA (an organization with historic roots in the movement) when professing his “full support.” His testimony is also available on our website:http://www.westernmassrlc.org/images/stories/Testimony-HE-Gionfriddo-H.R.2646-Mental-Health-2015-6-16.pdf.

In Massachusetts, the ‘Five Fundamental Rights’ have been in place for individuals staying in facilities funded, contracted or licensed by the Department of Mental Health (DMH). These include (in brief) the right to make and receive phone calls in private, the right to send and receive unopened mail, the right to humane conditions, the right to receive (and refuse) visitors, and the right to have access to clergy, legal advocates, lawyers, psychologists, etc. However, last Spring, a sixth fundamental right was added:

Reasonable access to fresh air for individuals hospitalized on psychiatric units.

In September, DMH will hold a public hearing calling for input on the implementation of this right, including how to define ‘reasonable access.’

The hearing will take place as follows:

Tuesday, September 15, 2015, 2pm to 4pm

@ the DMH Central Office, Legal Office,

25 Staniford Street, Boston

Individuals who plan to testify in person are advised to arrive 30 minutes ahead of the start time to sign up and to bring a written copy of what they plan to say.

Written testimony may also be submitted no later

than September 11 This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

To apply, send application and cover letter to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or Western Mass RLC, 187 High Street, Suite 202, Holyoke, MA 01040.

Applications will be accepted until the position is filled.

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Mental Health Association—Peer Mentor

30 hours based in the Springfield area.

Provide individual and small group support, skill building and advocacy to individuals receiving services, as well as supporting the organization to adhere to guiding principles of person-centered, trauma-informed, and strengths-based care.

Personal experience in navigating the mental health system is required.

Experience mentoring others through their own recovery journey is highly preferred.

This is a total body muscle conditioning class, utilizing rhythmic breath to ease tension and chronic pain. Nutrition follows Pilates, incorporating portion control and the F.D.A. food guide pyramid, in a writer’s workshop style.

Stick around afterward for Reiki and/or Acupuncture, as part of Thriving Thursdays!